[Diplopoda • 2023] Siamaxytes bifurca • Molecular Phylogeny of Dragon Millipedes (Polydesmida: Paradoxosomatidae) from mainland South-East Asia, with Description of A New Genus and Species

 

 Siamaxytes bifurca Srisonchai & Panha,  

in Srisonchai, Enghoff, Likhitrakarn, Jeratthitikul, Jirapatrasilp, Panha et Sutcharit, 2023. 

กิ้งกือมังกรสยามสองแง่ง  DOI: 10.1093/zoolinnean/zlad164 

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Abstract

Recent taxonomic revision of the strikingly ornamented millipedes known as ‘dragon millipedes’ in the family Paradoxosomatidae, has revealed generic division into six genera. The majority of species are distributed in mainland South-East Asia and each genus is restricted to a well-delimited area. However, their evolutionary history has remained poorly understood, particularly the relationships among genera and their biogeographic distribution. We present a comprehensive and well-resolved molecular phylogeny based on mitochondrial and nuclear genes. A dataset of 256 sequences representing 40 dragon millipede species was newly generated and analysed in order to reveal the relationships and to explore the origin using ancestral range reconstruction. All dragon millipedes were retrieved together as monophyletic, each genus except Hylomus forming a distinct clade with strong statistical values, supporting the previous classification using morphology. A new monotypic genus and new species, Siamaxytes bifurca Srisonchai and Panha gen. nov. et sp. nov., was revealed based on distinct morphological and DNA data. The Tenasserim mountain range was inferred to be the centre of origin of dragon millipedes with a series of subsequent diversifications across mainland South-East Asia. Our analysis provides evidence that both dispersal and vicariance presumably played a role in shaping these millipedes’ distribution and diversification.

biogeography, distribution patterns, endemism, systematics, ancestral state reconstruction

กิ้งกือมังกรสยามสองแง่ง Siamaxytes bifurca Srisonchai & Panha, 2023
ค้นพบที่ถ้ำเสือดาว อ.ไทรโยค จ.กาญจนบุรี

 

Ruttapon Srisonchai, Henrik Enghoff, Natdanai Likhitrakarn, Ekgachai Jeratthitikul, Parin Jirapatrasilp, Somsak Panha and Chirasak Sutcharit. 2023. Molecular Phylogeny of Dragon Millipedes (Diplopoda: Polydesmida: Paradoxosomatidae) from mainland South-East Asia, with Description of A New Genus and Species. Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society. zlad164. DOI: 10.1093/zoolinnean/zlad164

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[Botany • 2017] Trichotosia gabriel-asemiana (Orchidaceae) • A New Species from Tambrauw, West Papua Province, Indonesia

Trichotosia gabriel-asemiana Mambrasar & Schuit., 

in Mambrasar et Schuiteman. 2017.

DOI: 10.14203/reinwardtia.v16i2.3310 

 Researchgate.net/publication/321942637

  facebook.com/generasibiologi

Abstract

A new species of orchid, Trichotosia gabriel-asemiana Mambrasar & Schuit. from West Papua, Indonesia, is described and illustrated, including a colour photograph.

Keywords: New species, Tambrauw, Trichotosia gabriel-asemiana

Trichotosia gabriel-asemiana Mambrasar & Schuit., spec. nov. 
Habit and flower. Photo taken from type location by YM Mambrasar (BO).

Trichotosia gabriel-asemiana Mambrasar & Schuit., spec. nov. 

Diagnosis. This species is similar to Trichotosia microphylla Blume and T. dalatensis by its slender, creeping rhizome, short leaves (less than 2 cm long), and solitary flowers with an abaxial, conical callus near the lip apex. Trichotosia dalatensis has flowers that are similar in size and in the maroon colour, but differs in having a glabrous, uniformly thick lip with a distinct adaxial callus, whereas T. gabriel-asemiana has a lip that is sparsely pilose abaxially and which is abruptly divided into a fleshy basal part and a thin  textured upper part, but lacks an adaxial callus. Trichotosia microphylla has larger, yellowish green flowers (lip ca. 9 mm long, vs. 4 mm in T. gabriel-asemiana), with the lip not pubescent abaxially, and not abruptly divided into a fleshy basal part and a thinner upper part.

Etymology. Named in honour of Gabriel Asem, Regent of Tambrauw Regency since 2011, who in 2015 declared Tambrauw regency a conservation zone.

 

Yasper Michael Mambrasar and Andre Schuiteman. 2017. Trichotosia gabriel-asemiana (Orchidaceae), A New Species from Tambrauw, West Papua Province, Indonesia. REINWARDTIA. 16(2); 107–110. DOI: 10.14203/reinwardtia.v16i2.3310

  Researchgate.net/publication/321942637_TRICHOTOSIA_GABRIEL-ASEMIANA_A_NEW_SPECIES_FROM_WEST_PAPUA_INDONESIA

  facebook.com/generasibiologi/posts/1745608925513885

[Botany • 2016] Diplycosia platyphylla (Ericaceae: Gaultherieae) • A New Species from Mindanao, Philippines

 Diplycosia platyphylla P.W.Fritsch, 

in Fritsch and Victor Amoroso. 2016. Diplycosia 

(. PhytoKeys. 69; 31-38. 

 DOI: 10.3897/phytokeys.69.9466

Abstract

Diplycosia platyphylla P.W.Fritsch, a new species from Mindanao Island, Philippines, is described and illustrated. This species is most similar to the Bornean D. urceolata but differs by its green or slightly flushed pink petioles 4–7 mm long, wider leaf blades, acute calyx lobe apices, and lavender mature fruiting calyx. The new species is known only from a single collection made from Mount Apo in North Cotabato Province, southern Mindanao.

Keywords: Diplycosia, Ericaceae, Gaultherieae, Mindanao, Mount Apo, new species, Philippines

 Diplycosia platyphylla P.W.Fritsch.
A Habitat B Habit C Branchlet with inflorescences D Inflorescence E Immature fruit. (D.S. Penneys 2302).

Scale bars: C = 10 cm, D, E = 1 cm. Photos P.W.F.

Diplycosia platyphylla P.W.Fritsch, sp. nov.

 

Diagnosis: 

Haec species Diplycosiae urceolatae simillima, sed ab eo petiolo viridi vel viridi ex roseo 4–7 mm longo, lamina 7–7.5 cm lata, lobis calycis acutis, calyce fructus maturo lavandulo differt.

  Peter Fritsch and Victor Amoroso. 2016. Diplycosia platyphylla (Ericaceae), A New Species from Mindanao, Philippines. PhytoKeys. 69; 31-38.  DOI: 10.3897/phytokeys.69.9466

[Botany • 2023] Eugenia sarahchazaroi (Myrtaceae: Myrteae) • A New Species from the Cloud Forest of Mexico

Eugenia sarahchazaroi Cházaro, Franc.Gut. & J.R.Carral, 

in Francisco-Gutiérrez, Cházaro-Basáñez, Carral-Domínguez, Narave-Flores et Islas-Tello, 2023. 

DOI: 10.3897/phytokeys.236.111421

Abstract

Following the description of Eugenia naraveana in 2016 from the cloud forest of the Cofre de Perote volcano, Mexico, the doubt about the existence of another unlocalized and sympatric species of Eugenia remained. After years of searching, the second endemic species of the Cofre de Perote volcano, Eugenia sarahchazaroi, is presented here. It belongs to the section Umbellatae, and is described, illustrated, and compared with E. naraveana and E. coetzalensis, recently described from Veracruz, the second state with the highest diversity of Eugenia in Mexico. The species is only known from the type locality and is classified in the Critically Endangered CR B1+B2(a,biii) category of the IUCN Red List conservation assessments.

Key words: Cloud forest, Cofre de Perote, endemic species, Eugenia naraveana, Umbellatae, Veracruz

Eugenia sarahchazaroi
A inflorescence B twig with fruits C detail of flowers D fascicles E floral budsF staminal disc G adaxial surface of a leaf H abaxial surface of a leafI immature fruitJ ripe fruit, and K seedling.

All photographs were taken by Rodrigo Carral-Domínguez and edited by Antonio Francisco-Gutiérrez.

 Eugenia sarahchazaroi Cházaro, Franc.Gut. & J.R.Carral, sp. nov.

 

Diagnosis: Eugenia sarahchazaroi is morphologically similar to E. naraveana but differs by having shorter and smaller leaves (37.3–59.7 × 14.4–21.3 mm vs. 57–116 × 22–55 mm in E. naraveana), reduced number of flowers per fascicle (4–6 vs. 3–16), absence of bracteoles (vs. presence), shorter pedicels (1–1.7 × 0.6–1 mm vs. 6–12 × 1–2.6 mm), smaller staminal disc (1.6–2 mm vs. 3–5 mm wide), presence of central cavity in staminal disc (vs. absence), shorter style (3.4–7 mm vs. 7.5–9.7 mm), and shorter fruits (1.4–1.8 cm vs. 1.1–4.3 cm). The species is also similar to E. coetzalensis but it can be distinguished by its inflorescence (axillary fascicles vs. axillary racemes in E. coetzalensis).

Etymology: The specific epithet honors Sarah Magyari Cházaro-Hernández, the beloved daughter of Miguel Cházaro-Basáñez, who has accompanied him on numerous botanical expeditions. As a child, Sarah Cházaro developed an interest in botany by learning to identify several plant genera on field trips with her father (Fig. 4). This new species is the third dedicated to his children, with Agave paskynnellchazaroi Arzaba, Cházaro & Franc.Gut. (Arzaba-Villalba et al. 2023), and Valeriana rudychazaroi Cházaro, Franc.Gut. & J.R.Carral (Francisco-Gutiérrez et al. 2023b). These eponyms were the last will of Miguel Cházaro before he passed away on April 04, 2023. The obituary with a review of his life and work can be found in Francisco-Gutiérrez and Vázquez-García (2023).

Antonio Francisco-Gutiérrez, Miguel Cházaro-Basáñez, Rodrigo Carral-Domínguez, Héctor Narave-Flores and Luis Islas-Tello. 2023. Eugenia sarahchazaroi (Myrtaceae, Myrteae), A New Species from the Cloud Forest of Mexico. PhytoKeys. 236: 53-64. DOI: 10.3897/phytokeys.236.111421

[Botany • 2022] Aspidistra nikitensis (Asparagaceae: Nolinoideae) • A New Species from Vietnam

 Aspidistra nikitensis Kalyuzhny & Vislobokov,  

in Kalyuzhny, Vislobokov, Luu, Plugatar, ... et Vin'kovskaya, 2022.

DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.574.4.4 

  Researchgate.net/publication/365963211

Abstract

Aspidistra nikitensis is described and illustrated as a new species from Gia Lai province of Vietnam. The new species possesses linear leaves and trimerous flowers with a mushroom-shaped pistil. In these features, the new species is morphologically similar to A. hainanensis species complex but differs in its convex stigma with projections. In stigma structure, A. nikitensis resembles A. longanensis but differs in shape of leaves and flower merism.

Keywords: Gia Lai, IUCN, projections, Kon Chu Rang, stigma, Monocots

 Aspidistra nikitensis.
 A. Flower, front view. B. Flower with partly removed perigone, side view. C, D. Longitudinal sections of flower. E. Plant with flowers. F, G. Habit.

Aspidistra nikitensis Kalyuzhny & Vislobokov sp. nov. 

Diagnosis: Aspidistra nikitensis is morphologically similar to A. hainanensis species complex but differs in convex stigma with projections.

Sergey S. Kalyuzhny,  Nikolay A. Vislobokov, Hong Truong Luu, Yury V. Plugatar, Andrey N. Kuznetsov, Svetlana P. Kuznetsova, Vladislav V. Korzhenevsky and Oksana P. Vin'kovskaya. 2022. Aspidistra nikitensis (Asparagaceae, Nolinoideae), A New Species from Vietnam. Phytotaxa. 574(4); 289-294. DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.574.4.4 

  Researchgate.net/publication/365963211_Aspidistra_nikitensis_a_new_species_from_Vietnam

 

[Herpetology • 2023] Dibamus tropcentr • A New Species of the Genus Dibamus Duméril & Bibron, 1839 (Squamata: Dibamidae) from the Driest and Hottest Place of Vietnam

Dibamus tropcentr Kliukin, Nguyen, Bragin & Poyarkov, 

in Kliukin, Nguyen, Le, Bragin, Tran, Gorin et Poyarkov, 2023.

Ninh Thuan Blind Skink || DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5380.4.1 

Thằn lằn giun Ninh Thuận  ||  facebook.com/TanNguyen91VN

Ninthuanskayacherveobraznaya yascheritsa ||  Researchgate.net/publication/376110506

 

Abstract

A new species of the genus Dibamus Duméril & Bibron, 1839 is described based on seven specimens collected from Nui Chua National Park, Ninh Thuan Province, southern Vietnam, the hottest and driest place of the country. Dibamus tropcentr sp. nov. is superficially similar to Dibamus smithi Greer, 1985, but can be distinguished from the latter by: the presence of a rudimentary labial suture; by larger number of subcaudal scales; by comparatively longer tail; by generally larger number of midbody scale rows; by having the interparietal scale not enlarged, subequal to the nuchal scale; by having frontal and frontonasal scales subequal in size as compared to almost twice larger frontal scale in D. smithi; by having three scales posterior to interparietal; by having the medial scale posterior to mental not enlarged; by having three to four scales on the posteromedial edge of infralabials; and by having supralabial scale larger than ocular scale. We suggest the new species should be considered as Vulnerable (VU) following the IUCN’s Red List categories. The new species occurs in dry maritime mixed low evergreen forests at elevations of 200–280 m a.s.l. and was recorded in association with termite species Globitermes sulphureus (Haviland). Our study brings the total number of species of the genus Dibamus to 25; this is the seventh species of the genus recorded from Vietnam.

Keywords: Reptilia, Dibamus tropcentr sp. nov., Nui Chua National Park, Ninh Thuan Province, Blind Skinks, conservation, Southeast Asia, morphology, systematics,

Distribution of the genus Dibamus in southern Indochina.

Holotype of Dibamus tropcentr sp. nov. (ZMMU Re-17443, female) in life in situ (A) and prior to preservation (B).

Photographs by Nikolay A. Poyarkov. Scale bar equals 5 mm.

Skeletal morphology of the male paratype of Dibamus tropcentr sp. nov. (ZMMU Re-17444).

Photographs (A–C) and line drawings (D–F) of head scalation of the holotype of Dibamus tropcentr sp. nov. (ZMMU Re-17443, female), and line drawings (G–I) of the paratype of Dibamus smithi (NHMUK 1946.8.21.24, female).
Head is shown in lateral (A, D, G), ventral (B, E, H), and dorsal (C, F, I) aspects.

Scale bar equals 1 mm. Small dots on the rostral and labial area indicate sensory papillas. Photographs A–C and line drawings D–F by Nikolay A. Poyarkov; line drawings G–I modified from Greer (1985).

 

Dibamus tropcentr sp. nov.

 Kliukin, Nguyen, Bragin & Poyarkov

Etymology. The name of the new species is a noun in apposition and is therefore invariable; the species name is given in reference to the Joint Vietnam - Russia Tropical Science and Technology Research Centre (VRTC).This international organization has been conducting research on ecology and biodiversity of Vietnam for over 35years (1989–2023). Herpetological studies by VRTC staff have resulted in the description of over 60 new taxa of amphibians and reptiles from Vietnam. We recommend the names “Ninh Thuan Blind Skink” “Ninthuanskayacherveobraznaya yascheritsa” and “Thằn lằn giun Ninh Thuận” as common names of the new species in English, Russian, and Vietnamese, respectively. 

Natural macrohabitat (A) and microhabitat (B) of Dibamus tropcentr sp. nov. at the type locality in Da Vach Mountain, Nui Chua National Park, Ninh Thuan Province, Vietnam. The rotten log shown in (B) was the habitat where the holotype of the new species was found together with Globitermes sulphureus (Haviland) colony.

Photographs by Nikolay A. Poyarkov.

Nikita S. Kliukin, Tan Van Nguyen, Son Xuan Le, Andrey M. Bragin, Tin Trong Vo Tran, Vladislav A. Gorin and Nikolay A. Poyarkov. 2023. A New Species of the Genus Dibamus Duméril & Bibron, 1839 (Squamata: Dibamidae) from the Driest and Hottest Place of Vietnam. Zootaxa. 5380(4); 301-320. DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5380.4.1 

 facebook.com/TanNguyen91VN/posts/2044602132587697

  Researchgate.net/publication/376110506_A_new_species_of_Dibamus_from_the_driest_and_hottest_place_of_Vietnam

[Ichthyology • 2024] Phylogenomics of the narrowly endemic Eurycheilichthys (Siluriformes: Loricariidae): Sympatric Species with Non-sister Relationships suggest mainly Allopatric Speciation

   

Armored catfishes of the genus Eurycheilichthys

in Delapieve, Rocha & Reis, 2023. 

DOI: 10.1016/j.ympev.2023.107970

Highlights

• Phylogenomic inference for Eurycheilichthys based on ddRAD sequence data.

• Monophyly of most, but not all, morphospecies corroborated by genome-wide data.

• Most sympatric species are not sister lineages, suggesting allopatric diversification and secondary contact.

• Higher diversity among lineages in the Taquari-Antas basin indicates a more dynamic landscape.

• Eastern clade species should be target by future studies to assess the presence of cryptic species or hybridization.

Abstract

Armored catfishes of the genus Eurycheilichthys are endemic to Southern Brazil and Misiones (Argentina) comprising nine species of small size, with a high degree of sympatry and species diversity distributed in two river basins. Here we use new genome-wide data to infer a species phylogeny and test species boundaries for this poorly known group. We estimate 1) the phylogenetic relationships of the species of Eurycheilichthys based on 29,350 loci in 65 individuals of nine species plus outgroups, and 2) the population structure and differentiation based on 43,712 loci and 62 individuals to estimate how geography may have acted on speciation and formation of the sympatric species groups. Analyses support the monophyly of the genus and suggest two species-inclusive clades (East and West) with high support and very recently diverged species. Western clade contains E. limulus (from upper Jacuí River basin) that is sister to Western species of the Taquari-Antas basin plus E. paucidens. The Eastern clade contains E. pantherinus (from Uruguay River basin) sister to the Eastern species of the Taquari-Antas basin E. coryphaenus, plus the central-distributed species E. planus and E. vacariensis, and the more widely-distributed species E. luisae. Eurycheilichthys luisae is not monophyletic and may contain one or more cryptic species or hybrid individuals. A stronger diversity on structure of lineages on the Taquari-Antas, when compared to upper Uruguay and Jacuí River basins, and the fact that most of the sympatrically distributed taxa have non-sister relationships suggest a scenario of mainly allopatric speciation and may indicate a more dynamic landscape with headwater capture events among these tributaries.

 

Keywords: Neotropics, Biodiversity, Cascudinhos, ddRADseq, Phylogenetics

Maria Laura S. Delapieve, Luiz A. Rocha and Roberto E. Reis. 2023. Phylogenomics of the narrowly endemic Eurycheilichthys (Siluriformes: Loricariidae): Sympatric Species with Non-sister Relationships suggest mainly Allopatric Speciation. Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution. 190, 107970. DOI: 10.1016/j.ympev.2023.107970

[Botany • 2023] Viola austroyunnanensis (Violaceae) • A New Species from Yunnan, China

 

Viola austroyunnanensis Y.S. Chen, 

in Liao, Liao, He, Wu et Chen, 2023.

 DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.613.2.4

  Researchgate.net/publication/373896533 

Abstract

Viola austroyunnanensis is described and illustrated as a new species from southeastern Yunnan province of China. According to morphological studies, it belongs to Viola sect. Diffusae, and is related to V. fargesii, from which it differs by its stolons, petioles, stipules, abaxial leaf surface and sepals being all glabrous (vs. white puberulous), later petals glabrous (vs. beard), flower color usually blue-purple (vs. white); corolla throat nearly white (vs. yellow). But molecular phylogenetic results based on ITS dataset show that V. austroyunnanensis belongs to Viola sect. Adnatae. The systematic relationship of V. austroyunnanensis needs further research.

Keywords: Eudicots, violet, Viola sect. Diffusae, Viola sect. Adnatae, taxonomy

Viola austroyunnanensis Y.S. Chen, sp. nov.

 

Shu-Yuan Liao, Jun-Jie Liao, De-Ming He, Jian-Yong Wu and You-sheng CHEN. 2023. Viola austroyunanensis (Violaceae), A New Species from Yunnan province of China. Phytotaxa. 613(2); 153-161. DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.613.2.4

  Researchgate.net/publication/373896533_Viola_austroyunanensis_a_new_species_from_Yunnan_province_of_China

[Botany • 2020] Zingiber natmataungense (Zingiberaceae) • A New Species from Natma Taung National Park, Chin State, Myanmar

Zingiber natmataungense S.S.Zhou & R.Li, 

in Li, Shine, Li et Zhou, 2020. 

 DOI: 10.3897/phytokeys.138.46719

Abstract

Zingiber natmataungense S.S.Zhou & R.Li (Zingiberaceae), a new species from Natma Taung National Park, Chin State, Myanmar, is described and illustrated. The new species is morphologically similar to Z. yunnanense, but differs by: leaf blade abaxially light green, glabrous, ligule sparsely pubescent, ca. 2–3 mm, bracts glabrous; calyx white 20–21 × 3.2–3.5 mm, glabrous, apex obviously 3-toothed; corolla tube white, ca. 3.9–4.1 cm, labellum lateral lobes, ca. 1.5–1.7 × 0.6–0.7 cm; stamen with sparse pubescent, filament white, glabrous, 1–2 mm; anther connective appendage yellowish proximally, purplish distally; ovary white, sparsely white pubescent, epigynous glands, ca. 6–7 mm long, tapered, apex whorled, yellow. This new species is also similar to Z. teres, but has a different flower colour.

Keywords: Zingiber new species, Myanmar, Taxonomy, Zingiberaceae

Zingiber natmataungense S.S.Zhou & R.Li, sp. nov. 
A habitat B–D pseudostem and detail of ligules E inflorescence F flower G inflorescence and rhizome H bract I flower and style J calyx and detail of ovary with epigynous glands and anther K dissection (from left): corolla lobes and labellum, floral tube with anther in side view.

Holotype of Zingiber natmataungense S.S.Zhou & R.Li, sp. nov. 
(S.S. Zhou. 15828, HITBC Acc. No. 169318)

A Holotype of Zingiber natmataungense S.S.Zhou & R.Li, sp. nov. (S.S. Zhou. 15828, HITBC Acc. No. 169318)
B holotype of Z. yunnanense S.Q.Tong et X.Z.Liu (Tong, S.Q. & Liu, X.Z. 42412, KUN Acc. No. 0833231)
C isotype of Z. teres S.Q.Tong et Y.M.Xia (Tong, S.Q. & Xia, Y.M. 42403, KUN Acc. No. 0833210).

 Ren Li, Law Shine, Wu Li and Shi-Shun Zhou. 2020. A New Species of Zingiber (Zingiberaceae) from Natma Taung National Park, Chin State, Myanmar.  In: Jin X-H, Xia N-H, Tan Y-H (Eds) Plant Diversity of Southeast Asia-II. PhytoKeys. 138; 131-137. DOI: 10.3897/phytokeys.138.46719

Researchgate.net/publication/338515502_A_new_species_of_Zingiber_from_Natma_Taung_NP_Myanmar

[Entomology • 2023] Semanopterus kingstoni • A New, but possibly extinct, Species of Semanopterus Hope, 1847 (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae: Dynastinae) from Lord Howe Island, in the southwestern Pacific Ocean

 Semanopterus kingstoni 

 Reid & Tees, 2023

 DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5306.5.4

Abstract

A new and brachypterous species of Semanopterus Hope, 1847 (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae: Dynastinae: Pentodontini) is described: S. kingstoni Reid & Tees, new species. The species is based on a single female specimen, collected on Lord Howe Island in the southwest Pacific Ocean. It is the sixth species of dynastine known from Lord Howe Island; a key is provided for identification of all of the species known from this small island.

Keywords: Coleoptera, scarab, brachyptery, extinction, oceanic island, Australia

 Semanopterus kingstoni new species, holotype.
1, dorsal habitus; 2, lateral habitus; 3, dorsal of head; 4, anterior of head; 5, antenna; 6, labels.

 Semanopterus kingstoni new species, holotype.
 7, ventral habitus; 8, prothoracic leg; 9, metathoracic leg; 10, posterior.

Chris A.M. Reid, Natalie A. Tees. 2023.  A New, but possibly extinct, Species of Semanopterus Hope, 1847 from Lord Howe Island, in the southwestern Pacific Ocean (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae: Dynastinae).  Zootaxa. 5306(5); 563-570. DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5306.5.4

[Herpetology • 2023] Cyrtodactylus vairengtensis • It‘s all in the Name: Another New Cyrtodactylus Gray (Squamata: Gekkonidae) from northern Mizoram, North-east India

 

Cyrtodactylus vairengtensis

Lalremsanga, Colney, Vabeiryureilai, Malsawmdawngliana, Bohra, Biakzuala, Muansanga, Das & Purkayastha, 2023

DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5369.4.5  

 Researchgate.net/publication/375604058

 facebook.com/HTLalremsanga

 

Abstract

A new species of Cyrtodactylus is described from Vairengte town, situated in the Kolasib District of Mizoram State, north-eastern India. The new species is found to be a member of Indo-Burman Cyrtodactylus khasiensis clade based on ND2 gene sequences and morphological parameters, such as number of precloacal pores, mid-ventral scale rows, paravertebral tubercles on the trunk, dorsal tubercle rows, subdigital lamellae on pes and subcaudal scalation, making it the sixth endemic Cyrtodactylus from Mizoram and twenty second from north-east India. Moreover, phylogenetic evidence suggests the new species to be sister to the recently described C. aaronbaueri, and morphological analyses also reveal marginal separation between the two species based on the PCA of infralabials, lamellae on fingers and toes, paravertebral tubercles on the trunk, and dorsal tubercle rows.

Keywords: North-east India, taxonomy, ND2, lizard, reptile, systematics

Cyrtodactylus vairengtensis sp. nov. in life
 [A: holotype (2903); B: MZMU2626, C: Uncollected individual and D: MZMU2742)].

Cyrtodactylus vairengtensis sp. nov.

Hmar Tlawmte Lalremsanga, Zosiamliana Colney, Mathipi Vabeiryureilai, Fanai Malsawmdawngliana, Sanath Chandra Bohra, Lal Biakzuala, Lal Muansanga, Madhurima Das and Jayaditya Purkayastha. 2023. It‘s all in the Name: Another New Cyrtodactylus Gray (Squamata: Gekkonidae) from northern Mizoram, North-east India.  Zootaxa. 5369(4); DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5369.4.5 

  Researchgate.net/publication/375604058_Another_new_Cyrtodactylus_from_northern_Mizoram_NE_India

 facebook.com/groups/154062979995595/permalink/699733262095228

[Mammalogy • 2023] Mesechinus orientalis • A New Species of Forest Hedgehog (Eulipotyphla: Erinaceidae: Mesechinus) from eastern China

Mesechinus orientalis

Shi, Yao, He, Bai, Zhou, Fan, Su, Nie, Yang, Onditi, Jiang et Chen, 2023  

 

Eastern Forest Hedgehog, 华东林猬  

DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.1185.111615

Abstract

The hedgehog genus Mesechinus (Erinaceidae, Eulipotyphla) is currently comprised of four species, M. dauuricus, M. hughi, M. miodon, and M. wangi. Except for M. wangi, which is found in southwestern China, the other three species are mainly distributed in northern China and adjacent Mongolia and Russia. From 2018 to 2023, we collected seven Mesechinus specimens from Anhui and Zhejiang provinces, eastern China. Here, we evaluate the taxonomic and phylogenetic status of these specimens by integrating molecular, morphometric, and karyotypic approaches. Our results indicate that the Anhui and Zhejiang specimens are distinct from the four previously recognized species and are a new species. We formally described it here as Mesechinus orientalis sp. nov. It is the only Mesechinus species occurring in eastern China and is geographically distant from all known congeners. Morphologically, the new species is most similar to M. hughi, but it is distinguishable from that species by the combination of its smaller size, shorter spines, and several cranial characteristics. Mesechinus orientalis sp. nov. is a sister to the lineage composed of M. hughi and M. wangi from which it diverged approximately 1.10 Ma.

Key words: Anhui, mammals, phylogeny, taxonomy

A living Mesechinus orientalis sp. nov. (XC 2205003) from Xuancheng, Anhui.

 Mesechinus orientalis sp. nov.

 

Suggested common name: Eastern Forest Hedgehog, 

华东林猬 (Huadong Linwei).

Diagnosis: This is a small-bodied hedgehog (GLS = 49.95 ± 1.69 mm), similar to M. hughi, but smaller than other Mesechinus species. It has the shortest spines in the genus (18–20 mm); the spines have four-colour rings, similar to the spines of M. dauuricus and M. hughi, but different from those of M. miodon and M. wangi (Fig. 8). The parietal is higher than the frontals, which differs from that of M. hughi and M. wangi (Fig. 9). The P2 is two-rooted and not completely fused (Fig. 4). The protocone of P3 is vestigial, which differs from that of M. hughi, and smaller than P2, which distinguishes it from M. dauuricus. The dental formula of M. orientalis sp. nov. [I 3/2, C1/1, P 3/2, M 3/3 (×2) = 36], which distinguishes it from M. wangi. 

 

Etymology: The specific name orientalis is derived from the Latin oriens, “the east”, and suffix -alis, “pertaining to”, in reference to the new species’ eastern distribution in Anhui and Zhejiang provinces in eastern China.

 Zifan Shi, Hongfeng Yao, Kai He, Weipeng Bai, Jiajun Zhou, Jingyi Fan, Weiting Su, Wenhui Nie, Shuzhen Yang, Kenneth O. Onditi, Xuelong Jiang, Zhongzheng Chen. 2023. A New Species of Forest Hedgehog (Mesechinus, Erinaceidae, Eulipotyphla, Mammalia) from eastern China. ZooKeys. 1185: 143-161. DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.1185.111615

[Entomology • 2023] Aenictus kadalarensis • A New Species of Army Ant Genus Aenictus (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) from India

Aenictus kadalarensis

Sahoo, Ramakrishnaiah, Dharma Rajan & Datta-Roy, 2023

DOI: 10.51963/jers.v25i3.2504 

Researchgate.net/publication/375753809 

 twitter.com/skinkomaniac

Abstract

A new species, Aenictus kadalarensis sp. nov., belonging to the army ant genus Aenictus Shuckard 1840, is discovered from Kerala, India. The species is described based on the worker caste, and it belongs to the Aenictus pachycerus group. This paper provides a detailed discussion of its morphology and the characteristics that distinguish this species from its closely related species within the A. pachycerus group.

Keywords: Western Ghats, Kerala, A. pachycerus species group, A. kadalarensis sp. nov.

Bikash Sahoo, Sahanashree Ramakrishnaiah, Priyadarsanan Dharma Rajan, Aniruddha Datta-Roy. 2023. A New Species of Army Ant Genus Aenictus (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) from India.  Journal of the Entomological Research Society. 25(3); 615–622. DOI: 10.51963/jers.v25i3.2504

  twitter.com/skinkomaniac/status/1725735381797364182

 Researchgate.net/publication/375753809_A_New_Species_of_Aenictus_from_India

[Botany • 2023] Curcuma maxwellii & C. rubroaurantiaca (Curcuma subg. Ecomatae, Zingiberaceae: Zingibereae) • Two New Species from Thailand

ว่านเพชรม้าล้านนา Curcuma maxwellii Škorničk. & Suksathan, 

ว่านเพชรม้าอีสาน C. rubroaurantiaca Škorničk. & Soonthornk., 

 in Leong-Škorničková, Soonthornkalump, Lindström, Niwesrat, Lim et Suksathan, 2023. 

DOI: 10.3897/phytokeys.235.111400

Abstract

Curcuma maxwellii sp. nov. and Curcuma rubroaurantiaca sp. nov. (Zingiberaceae, Zingiberoideae, Zingibereae), two new red-orange-flowered species from Thailand, are described. They are compared to the morphologically closest species from the Curcuma subgen. Ecomatae and detailed descriptions, colour plates and information on their distribution, ecology, phenology and uses are provided. Preliminary IUCN conservation assessments for both of these species are proposed as Least Concern

Key words: Curcuma flammea, Curcuma lindstromii, Curcuma rhomba, gingers, subgenus Ecomatae, Least Concern, Zingibereae

Curcuma maxwellii Škorničk. & Suksathan at the type locality
A habit B inflorescence (top view) with detail of flower in front view C detail of leaf sheaths and ligules D rhizome E inflorescence with detail of flower in side view F two fertile bracts, three flower buds from the same cincinnus as the dissected flower, dissected flower (from left: floral tube with ovary, calyx and stamen attached, upper row dorsal and lateral corolla lobes, lower row lateral staminodes and labellum G stamen still attached to floral tube from front, back and side view.

All from the type collection, Suksathan et al. JLS-4210. 

Photographed by Jana Leong-Škorničková.

 

 Curcuma (Ecomatae) maxwellii Škorničk. & Suksathan, sp. nov.

 

Diagnosis: Similar to Curcuma rhomba Mood & K.Larsen in general habit and flower colour, but differs by bracts green to green with slight reddish tinge, puberulent on both sides (versus solid dark red glossy bracts, glabrous on both sides), bracteoles present (vs. bracteoles absent), calyx puberulent throughout (vs. calyx glabrous, except few hairs on teeth), anther with 2–2.5 mm long narrowly conical spurs (vs. ca. 1 mm short broadly conical spurs with blunt apices).

Distribution: Only known from Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai Provinces, N Thailand.

Eponymy: We name this species after our late colleague and remarkable botanist James Franklin Maxwell (1945–2015), also known simply as Max, who collected this species in 1992 (Fig. 2). With more than 32,000 high quality collections, rich in flowers and/or fruits and carefully prepared with many duplicates and mostly with labels that contain much information, Max ranks amongst the best collectors of Thai plants (van Welzen 2023).

Vernacular name and uses: As the vernacular name Wan Pet Ma (ว่านเพชรม้า) is used on several orange-flowered species with red corolla lobes including this species, we propose to use Wan Pet Ma Lanna (ว่านเพชรม้าล้านนา) for this species. Based on the information from the local herbal specialist of the Hmong community, this species, which is locally abundant, has no medicinal uses and only has potential as an ornamental plant.

 

Curcuma rubroaurantiaca Škorničk. & Soonthornk. at the type locality
A habit B inflorescence with detail of flower in front view C detail of leaf sheaths and ligules D rhizome E inflorescence with detail of flower in side view F two flowers and dissected flower (from left: ovary with epigynous glands, calyx, floral tube (dissected longitudinally), upper row dorsal and lateral corolla lobes and stamen, lower row lateral staminodes and labellum G stamen from front, back and side view.

All from the type collection, Soonthornkalump Sutt-242.

 Photographed by Sutthinut Soonthornkalump.

 Curcuma (Ecomatae) rubroaurantiaca Škorničk. & Soonthornk., sp. nov.

 

Diagnosis: Similar to Curcuma maxwellii by general habit and flower colour, but differs by leaf blades abaxially densely puberulent (vs. glabrous), inflorescence composed of up to 14 fertile bracts (vs. inflorescences composed of 15–34 bracts), bracteoles absent (vs. small bracteoles present), larger stamen 19–22 mm long (vs. 16–18 mm long), anther 16–17 mm long with flattened spurs, prominent anther crest 2–3 mm long with central longitudinal groove and anther thecae forming narrowly rhomboid shape (vs. anther 13–14 mm long with conical spurs, thick anther crest ca. 1 mm long without central longitudinal groove and anther thecae forming narrowly obovate shape).

Distribution: Known to occur in Loei, Sakon Nakhon, (NE Thailand), Chayaphum (E Thailand) and Phetchabun Provinces (N Thailand).

Etymology: The specific epithet refers to its bright red and orange flowers.

Vernacular name and uses: Similarly to the previous species, the vernacular name Wan Pet Ma (ว่านเพชรม้า) is used also on this species; we, therefore, propose refining the vernacular name to Wan Pet Ma Isan (ว่านเพชรม้าอีสาน) for this species. No uses were reported, but the species has a good potential as an ornamental plant. 

 Jana Leong-Škorničková, Sutthinut Soonthornkalump, Anders Jan Lindström, Sira Niwesrat, Sarah Qing Lim and Piyakaset Suksathan. 2023. Curcuma maxwellii and C. rubroaurantiaca (Zingiberaceae, Zingiberoideae), Two New Species from Thailand. PhytoKeys. 235: 237-248. DOI: 10.3897/phytokeys.235.111400